[NEWSWEEK] Japan Gets Ready to Shoot Down North Korean Missile

February 4, 2016

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (photo) called the launch a “serious provocation,” and Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani said the country will shoot down any missile that could potentially fall on Japan.

[NEWSWEEK] – South Korea and Japan have warned North Korea about the potential forthcoming rocket launch the country has said will occur later this month, and Japan’s Defense Ministry has deployed ballistic missile defense units in preparation for the event.

Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani said the country will shoot down any missile that could potentially fall on Japan, while Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe called the launch a “serious provocation.”

North Korea said it plans to carry out a rocket launch later this month in a letter to the U.N.’s International Maritime Organization, giving the time window of February 8 to 25 for the potential test. South Korea warned North Korea against its plans to launch a rocket on Wednesday and said the Hermit Kingdom would “pay a harsh price” if the test went ahead. [READ MORE]